1 Margaret Greenwood debates involving the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero

Tidal Range Energy Generation

Margaret Greenwood Excerpts
Wednesday 10th January 2024

(11 months, 1 week ago)

Westminster Hall
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Mick Whitley Portrait Mick Whitley
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I will give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral West (Margaret Greenwood) first and then my right hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell).

Margaret Greenwood Portrait Margaret Greenwood (Wirral West) (Lab)
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate, his important work on this matter and his tireless work for the people of Birkenhead. I am sure he will agree that we have an obligation to future generations, and that we urgently need to put in place the infrastructure to power a fossil fuel-free future. Delay is unacceptable and we urgently need to see Government action.

John McDonnell Portrait John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab)
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I know that my hon. Friend does not want to look backwards, but I do. My first meeting on the barrage across the Mersey was in 2015. If Government had implemented it then, it would be operational now. The trajectory was always going to be that alternative fuel sources would be cheaper than reliance on rising oil prices. It is obvious that that will also be the future trajectory. That is why there is a sense of urgency about this now.